FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
RUSTON– Louisiana Tech’s 2010 baseball schedule has been released and will include match-ups with three of the final eight team’s of the College World Series, a trip to the Metrodome, a number of challenging regional contests and a tough conference schedule.
"This is one of the most challenging schedules we’ve had since I’ve been here," Tech head coach Wade Simoneaux said. "We have tough road trips to the Metrodome in Minnesota and to Albuquerque against New Mexico on our schedule as well as three World Series teams from last year. Not to mention two games on the road vs. a good Baylor team. So we have our work cut out for us and this young team is very excited about the challenge."
Tech will start the season with a number of regional match-ups. Opening day for the Bulldogs will be at home on Friday, Feb. 19 at 6:00 p.m. when Tech begins a three game series with Alcorn State before traveling to take on Grambling State on Tuesday, Feb. 23 at 6:00 p.m. Beginning Friday Feb. 26-28 Tech will host a three game series with McNeese State at J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park.
After the McNeese series Tech will play the first of two games at Baylor on March 3 before traveling to Edinburg, Texas to take on Pan Am on March 5-7. On the way back to Ruston Tech will stop in Waco, Texas to take on Baylor again on March 9. Tech will then continue with a three game road series with New Mexico on March 12-14 before a game with Central Arkansas on March 17 in Conway, Ark.
The Bulldogs will end their nine game road stint on March 19 with a home series vs. Southern Miss. Last season Southern Miss was one of the final eight teams in the College World Series before being eliminated by North Carolina. Before heading on the road again Tech will host Grambling on March 23 at 6:00 p.m.
Next the Bulldogs will travel to Minneapolis, Minn. to take on Minnesota in the Metrodome on March 26-28 before returning to Ruston to take on Texas Wesleyan on April 2. On April 6 Tech will face LSU-Shreveport in Shreveport before beginning their conference schedule at home vs. San Jose State on April 9-11.
Tech will then work through a daunting WAC schedule with a four game series vs. each team they play. After the San Jose series Tech will travel to Fresno State (April 16-18) before hosting Hawaii (April 22-25). Following Hawaii the Bulldogs will take on New Mexico State in Las Cruces (April 30-May2) and then return home to take on Sacramento State (May 7-9).
Breaking up the WAC schedule will be a road trip to Little Rock, Ark. to take on College World Series participant Arkansas on May 11. Last season the Razorbacks advanced to the finals of their bracket in the College World Series before being ousted by eventual Champion LSU. Following the Arkansas game Tech will head to Austin, Texas for a double-header against National Runner-Up Texas (May 16). Tech will then host Central Arkansas on May 18 before returning to the conference schedule, traveling to Reno, Nev. to take on Nevada (May 21-23) to end the regular season.
This season will be the first that the WAC will hold the conference tournament at Hohokam Park in Mesa, Ariz. The stadium will be a neutral sight and is a spring training facility for the Chicago Cubs organization.
"This will be an incredibly challenging schedule for our young ball club," said Simoneaux, "That being said, I think this ball club will be ready for that challenge."
